Accident kills creator of plaza’s ‘Lagartos’

By Daniel Borunda / El Paso Times
El Paso Times

Luis Jimenez, the El Paso native whose fiberglass sculptures made him an internationally prominent artist, was killed Tuesday morning in a freak accident in his art studio in Hondo, N.M., authorities said. Jimenez, 65, was the most famous artist to come out of El Paso, with his work recognized from barrios to President Bush’s ranch home near Crawford, Texas.

Around 11:50 a.m. Tuesday, Jimenez and two of his employees were moving a large statue piece with a hoist when the piece got loose, struck Jimenez and pinned him to a steel beam at Jimenez Studios, Lincoln County Sheriff R.E. “Rick” Virden said in a news release. Jimenez received a severe leg injury and died at Lincoln County Medical Center in nearby Ruidoso. The death of Jimenez created a shock as it spread by word of mouth through the arts community in El Paso, where Jimenez’s “Vaquero” and “Plaza de Los Lagartos” sculptures have become civic landmarks.

Jimenez was a major figure in Chicano art and a pioneer in public art. His vibrant fiberglass sculptures are found in parks from Albuquerque to Fargo, N.D., home of “The Sodbuster” statue. Last week, the Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper reported he was working on a Cleveland Firefighters Memorial that was to be ready by the fall. The statue was supposed to be finished by the end of 2004, but the date was pushed back in part because Jimenez had suffered two heart attacks.

“He was one of the most original artists on the planet,” said Becky Duvall Reese, the former director of the El Paso Museum of Art. Jimenez’s “Vaquero” — a 20-foot-tall statue of a Mexican cowboy on a bucking horse — stands in front of the museum. Jimenez’s work often reflected his border and Southwestern roots. He often said he was inspired by his sign-maker father, a Mexican immigrant.

“I have a way of looking at the world that is somewhat unique, that is not maybe totally mainstream,” Jimenez said in a 1995 interview with the El Paso Times. “I would hope that I’ve helped people have insights into the world we are living in.” Art gallery owner Adair Margo said Jimenez will live on in his work, including the “Texas Waltz” lithograph purchased by first lady Laura Bush that is now at the Bush ranch home.

“I think Luis shared this border region with the world. Those images will continue to live on,” Margo said. “You look at the images he left us, you realize he was a voice that mattered, that gave form to this region and communicated it with people. He was a man of just incredible talent, but he also had great generosity of spirit.”

Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@elpasotimes.com; 546-6102.
El Paso Times reporter Adriana M. Chávez contributed to this report.

Border Tightrope is an exhibition of paintings by Gregg Stone, Emigidio Vasquez and Ramon Carillo. Opening Reception: Saturday June 3rd, 7-10pm (coincides with 1st Saturday Artwalk in the Santa Ana Art Village.) Show runs: June 3 - June 28. Also showing: No Border Brown-Shirts with featured artists: Sergio Hernandez, Pat Sparkuhl, Paul Vauchelet, Crol, Werc, Manone, Gregg Stone, Marka 27, Ricardo Duffy, Guilermo Bejarano, Patrick Martinez, Asylm, Magu. The exhibit is at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art (OCCCA). 117 N. Sycamore Street. Santa Ana, CA 92701 Phone: 714/667-1517. For more information, visit the gallery’s website at: www.occca.org

American Beauties: Different Stories, is a group show at SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery in Santa Ana, California. featuring artists Michael Maas, Gregg Stone, Emigdio Vasquez, and Mark Vallen.

The owner of SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery, JoAnne Artman, visualized American Beauties as an exhibition “bridging cultures and challenging perceptions of Latino life.” The spanish language newspaper, OC Excelsior, wrote a positive review of the show, titled Four Painters Show Their Vision of Latin American Women. In the review Special Events Editor, Miguel Suárez-Orozco, wrote about how the artists view Latinas, “One sees her as an image of courage, another considers her an indigenous goddess, the third finds her haunting the nightclubs and the fourth imagines her as a Holy Mother, but all agree on the beauty of women of Hispanic origin. For his part, Vallen presents the Hispanic woman as a beautiful Indian, elegantly costumed, a proud goddess, aloof from any type of discrimination. These and other feminine images can be appreciated in the exhibition.” The April 1st opening night reception attracted some 100 art lovers.

Artman describes the exhibiting artists in the following way. “Figurative realist Mark Vallen creates art that chronicles a rich Latino culture. His vision translates and transforms the people and their times. Renowned muralist Emigdio Vasquez is a visionary storyteller who carves day-to-day struggles onto faces and into souls. Gregg Stone uses watercolor, gouache, and ink to create a modern realistic portrait of Latino life, and Michael Maas’ Mother and Child series is inspired by images of the Virgin of Guadalupe.”

American Beauties: Different Stories, continues through June 30th, 2006. SpaceOnSpurgeon is located at 210 N. Spurgeon Street, in Santa Ana, California. 92701 (Click here for an online map.)

The gallery is open Saturdays and Sundays, from 1 - 4 pm, and also by appointment (To contact JoAnne Artman, phone: 949-464-0105.) Visit the first Saturday of any month to coincide with the Santa Ana Artists Village Open House artwalk. Street parking is available directly in front of the Spurgeon gallery, and also at the Artists Village Parking structure located at Third Street and Broadway. Visit the SpaceOnSpurgeon gallery at www.spaceonspurgeon.com

The New Normalcy: Artists Examine the Post 9-11 World, is a group show at Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art in Los Angeles that is now running until March 26th, 2006. Artists are presenting works depicting the realities of the post 9-11 world - endless war, militarism, terrorism, state surveillance and repression. The exhibit offers original and limited edition works of art by Mark Vallen, Robbie Conal, Gregg Stone, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan, Poli Marichal, Margaret Garcia, Francisco Letelier, Patrick Merrill, Sergio Hernandez, and dozens of others.

Artist’s Reception & Opening Party
On Saturday, February 25th, from 6 to 9 pm, some 300 people packed the gallery - but there are more events to take place during the length of the exhibit.

Iraq War Third Anniversary Special Events
March 18th marks the Third Anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. During the course of the exhibit, Carlotta’s Passion will sponsor numerous events related to the war’s anniversary and to human rights and social justice - including performances and poetry readings. Click here to read a full schedule of events.

The gallery has released a statement that sheds some light on the motivations behind the exhibit: “On October 19th, 2001, former Halliburton CEO and now current sitting Vice President, Dick Cheney, christened a new term. Describing the curtailment of civil rights taken for granted by American citizens as the ‘new normalcy,’ Mr. Cheney was notifying Americans that constant surveillance, arrest without charge, secret trials and military tribunals, were the order of the day. Moreover, according to Cheney, ‘Many of the steps we have now been forced to take will become permanent in American life.’ By naming this exhibition The New Normalcy, Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art and the artists in the exhibit remind Mr. Cheney and other members of the Bush administration that the only things permanent in American life are our cherished freedoms and constitutional rights as United States citizens - that and our promise of liberty and justice for all.”

Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art is located at 2012 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, California (Eagle Rock,) 90041. Contact gallery director, Robert Squires, at: 323-259-1563. Click here for more information, including previews of the art, a full schedule of exhibit related events, and directions to the gallery.

Mental Menudo is mass meeting of Xicano artists, art lovers and educators. At the menudo, all topics pertaining to art are up for discussion. Always intellectually stimulating and educational, the menudos are the brainchild of longtime L.A. artist, Gilbert “Magu” Lujan. Recent meetings have grown to include dozens of artists young and old who practice a variety of artistic disciplines. Artists, photographers, film makers, writers, gallery owners, community activists and many others have been attending the menudos - and all are interested in finding ways to make art more accessible to the people of Los Angeles. Everyone is encourage to attend - spread the word and bring some friends! If you have any questions or suggestions please contact: pecart68@yahoo.com. The next Mental Menudo takes place: Friday, November 18th, 7:30 pm at the Mexican Cultural Institute - located at La Placita on L.A.’s historic OlveraStreet. The meeting takes place in the Biscailuz Building gallery, downstairs.

[ Detail of Lithograph by Francisco Zuniga ]

Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art presents, Both Sides of the Border: Latin American and Chicano Art. The exhibit focuses on original and limited edition works of art by Latin American and Chicano artists. The Latin American artwork includes pieces by Francisco Zuniga, Wifredo Lam, Carlos Merida and sixteen other masters. The Chicano artists whose works are in the show include Gronk, Patssi Valdez, Frank Romero, Leo Limon, Mark Vallen, Diane Gamboa, Sergio Hernandez, and fourteen other top notch artists.

Both Sides of the Border opens with an Artist’s Reception on Saturday, November 19th., from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. During the opening, MEXIKA will perform exciting indigenous and new music using traditional instruments created by Martin Espino. The exhibition runs until Friday evening, December 30th., 2005. Carlotta’s Passion Fine Art is located at: 2012 Colorado Blvd., in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles, California - the cross street is Maywood (click here for a MapQuest map.) Business hours for the gallery are Tuesday through Sunday, from 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Phone: 323-259-1563. A number of educational presentations and activities are planned as part of the exhibit. For a full schedule of events, as well as previews of the artworks, click here.

[ This Column of the Americas article by Roberto Rodriguez is titled, The Quiet Wrath of the Three Sisters. The writer can be reached at: XColumn@aol.com © 2005. Column of the Americas. Artwork by Carlos Callejo. ]

[ Artwork by Carlos Callejo ]

The three sisters - Cindy, Katrina & Rita — have managed not simply to humble the president, but in effect, have ended his rule of hubris and arrogance. End of Bush II. Cindy Sheehan didn’t so much expose his lies about Iraq as she has galvanized opposition to a war that the world has always known is fraudulent. His failure to face her this summer solidified the belief worldwide that there indeed is nothing noble about this illegally conjured-up war. There never was a threat from Iraqi WMDs nor was there an Iraqi link to 911. Also, the governments that were blackmailed into supporting president Bush’s war policies had to do so against the strong wishes of their own citizens.

In the United States, it was quite a different story. Egged on by a willing media, a sizeable percentage of the U.S. public (including the leading Democrats) seemingly came to believe the president’s whoppers. Even after the falsehoods were thoroughly exposed, those that had been duped continued to fall for the president’s continued deceptions — that he had been victimized by “faulty intelligence.” At worst, they accused him of being an incompetent imperialist. (They objected to the incompetence, not the imperialism). Meanwhile, the president’s rag-tag “coalition of the willing” began to unravel. Despite this, truth and morality seemed to have had no effect on his supporters. It has taken these three sisters to stir peoples’ sense of right and wrong, though admittedly, this change may be due more to economic patriotism than as a result of desiring the president to abide by the law. The rationale is quite simple: the cost of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars is about the same as Katrina & Rita (some $200 billion and growing) — this at a time of sky-high deficits and tax-cuts that indisputably favor the rich. Given a choice, the U.S. taxpayers would rather pitch in to help their fellow citizens than finance an unpopular war that promises few dividends.

That tens of thousands of Iraqis are being killed in an illegal war (plus 2000 U.S. soldiers) does not seem to have entered into the equation. Yet by failing to address Sheehan, he lost the small window of opportunity that he had to convince a now thoroughly skeptical U.S. public about the purported rightness of his cause. Then came the other sisters. That’s why his presidency of arrogance is over — this is even before the Patrick Fitzgerald investigation is taken into account. There’s no more wind for his continued tax cuts for the rich. Similarly, his faith-based war against science and the environment have been completely discredited. He has been reduced to near-buffoon status, attempting to prove that he can lead the Gulf Coast rebuilding effort and lead the nation. He has not only lost control of the nation’s agenda - but has also irreversibly lost his stature as “leader of the free world.” The only people he can rely on for support are the same delusional individuals who blame Bill Clinton for 911 and Katrina. And even that base continues to shrivel.

This is not a case of the situation not boding well for the president or the Republican Party. It’s the whole country. And rather than a lame-duck, he is instead a wounded animal. The difference is, he is still at the controls of the most powerful weaponry and armed forces in world history. And it’s not just him. His entire administration is implicated (if not indicted) in this illegal war. (That’s why he has always adamantly insisted that the United States be exempt from the International War Crimes Tribunal). And beyond that, Cindy, Katrina and Rita have exposed the Michael Browns of his administration — incompetent cronies that have been placed into leadership positions to simply do the bidding of big business. And it isn’t just FEMA. The Food & Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency and the politicized courts are in similar boats. That’s just where it begins. This is not news, but it has taken the three sisters to expose this illegitimate government as the damage and toll in American lives, (in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Gulf coast) is now being perceived as unacceptably high.

Yet, the president will remain dangerous until the day he leaves office. Nothing like another conjured-up crisis (with Syria, Iraq, Venezuela, North Korea or Cuba) for him to perhaps attempt to do what NYC Mayor Rudy Gulianni tried to do after 911– attempt to stay in office beyond his elected term. Normally this would be unthinkable. But since when are these normal times?

[ * Some might argue that it is three other sisters, Valerie [Plame of the CIA], Harriet [Miers, Supreme Court Nominee] & Wilma [still yet another hurricane] that have brought this administration to its knees. ]

Luis J. Rodriguez, acclaimed writer and cofounder of Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural, will read from his latest poetry collection My Nature is Hunger: New & Selected Poems (Curbstone Press/Rattle Edition) with renowned Chicano artist Mark Vallen - who will be on hand to talk about the original oil painting Vallen created for the book cover, and to sell prints of the painting. The event is scheduled for Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 5 PM at Tia Chucha’s Cafe Cultural, 12737 Glenoaks Blvd., #22, Sylmar, CA 91342. Phone: 818-362-7060. For address, hours, directions, and more go to www.tiachucha.com

Also, later at 7 PM Luis J. Rodriguez is inviting poets from around the LA area to read their works for peace, justice and a cooperative way of life as part of the global mobilization of poetry and conscious-raising, sponsored by Poets Against War (www.poetsagainstwar.net). Poets Against War, founded by award-winning poet and translator Sam Hamill, has amassed the largest collection of poetry against war in the world. They have been working hard to bring attention to stopping the US wars against Iraq and Afghanistan, and for the peaceful resolutions of the complex issues of our day for the benefit of all humanity.

“It’s time that we imagined another way to deal with the hard issues confronting us instead of violence and war,” Rodriguez said. “I hope this event will galvanize the LA poetry community to activate their lives and their verses toward peace and true justice in our time.” The LA Times “Book Review” section of October 16, 2005 gave a one-page presentation of Luis Rodriguez’s new poetry book.

Beginning October 8th, 2005, Emerging From Aztlán, the third annual Chicano art show at the da Center for the Arts in Pomona California opens its doors to the public with a grand Artist’s Reception. This must see exhibit features dozens of the finest Chicano artists from around Southern California, and offers a kalidescope of styles and trends. The show includes well-known professionals along with up and coming artists. Emerging From Aztlán runs from October 8th, 2005 to November 20th, 2005. Patrons are invited to a special sneak preview Artist’s Reception on Saturday October 8th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, where serious collectors can meet the artists and have the first opportunity to acquire artworks. Music and refreshments are also part of the event. Tickets are available for $20 each (Phone: 909-397-9716.) The general public is invited to two FREE Artist’s Receptions - Saturday October 8th and Saturday November 12th, 2005 - both held from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. The da Center for the Arts is located at: 252-D South Main Street, Pomona California 91766-1630. For more information, visit their website, at: www.dacenter.org

[ The following article originally appeared on artist Mark Vallen’s Art For A Change web log (link) under the headline of Mural Masterwork: Myth of Tomorrow. His report is reprinted here with kind permission ]


An important antiwar mural painted in Mexico by famed Japanese modern artist, Taro Okamoto (1911 - 1996), has been rediscovered after thirty five years. In Spanish the work is known as Mito del Mañana (Myth of Tomorrow), and in Japanese, Ashita no Shinwa - but like all great works of art, Okamoto’s painting speaks a universal language. The gigantic mural depicts the exact moment of an atomic bomb explosion, with the focus of the work being an anonymous human reduced to skeletal form and burning under an atomic sun.

Okamoto’s mural was originally painted in the lobby of what was to be a high-rise luxury hotel in Mexico City, but the developer encountered financial troubles that prevented the building’s completion. Okamoto’s wall painting, dismantled and put into storage, eventually disappeared - and it remained missing until just recently. In 2003 the mural was found abandoned in a yard for building materials located in a suburb of Mexico City. The Taro Okamoto Memorial Museum in Japan sent a team of restorers to Mexico to evaluate the condition of the artwork, and found that it was suffering minor damage. Calling the piece “Taro’s magnum opus”, the institution obtained the rights to the mural earlier this year. The mural has been shipped to Japan where museum staff and experts began restoration work in July, 2005. Okamoto’s mural will eventually be placed on public display at the end of 2006.

The Taro Okamoto Memorial Foundation for the Promotion of Contemporary Art released a statement that in part read, “Okamoto believed that the myths of the future develop at moments of cruelty and tragedy. This mural speaks from his deepest thoughts, from his heart.” While the world’s first atomic bombing of civilian population centers occurred in August 1945 when the U.S. devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki with nuclear fire… it would be a mistake to see Okamoto’s artwork as fixated on those terrible events. Rather, his striking mural is a warning to all humanity, and the message is more relevant today than ever before. That we’ve grown accustomed to living with a nuclear Sword of Damocles hanging above us all is really the core meaning of the mural’s title - and our continued apathy only assures that tomorrow is indeed a myth.

Painted between 1968 and 1969 and measuring some 18 feet high by 98 feet long, Okamoto’s artwork is a powerful indictment of war. While it may seem incongruous that such a disturbing and forceful work of art would appear in the lobby of a luxury hotel, one must remember that Mexican restaurants, hotels, commercial and government buildings have often made wall space available for the display of controversial large-scale public artworks. The Mexican Muralist Movement led by greats David Alfaro Siqueiros, Diego Rivera and José Clemente Orozco, set the standards for a progressive and internationalist school of art. The radical and populist artworks of these masters and the many others who worked shoulder to shoulder with them, enhance public space all across Mexico. There’s absolutely no doubt that Taro Okamoto was inspired and influenced by the remarkable Mexican school of socially conscious artists, and the discovery and restoration of his mural is cause for celebration.